Henry column: Former Rickards star coaching RBs at Louisville

Kolby Smith returned to Tallahassee this weekend for a baby shower and family introductions.

Kolby Smith, Jr. – say hello – is a month old.

"I am already teaching him how to hit and spin," Smith laughed.

There's no place like home.

The former Rickards High and NFL running back is entering his third season as a college coach – and his first season at his alma mater, the University of Louisville.

The Cardinals officially join the Atlantic Coast Conference on Tuesday.

With millions of apps, websites and other platforms for people to communicate through social media these days, Smith, 29, also semi-joked that he is updating and expanding his platforms to stay in touch from Kentucky.

Especially since social media has transformed how recruiting works in college football

"There's a lot going on in Tallahassee. I have to make sure I hear all –and know all – that takes place," chuckled Smith, who will recruit his hometown and parts of Florida.

Smith, the Cardinals' running backs coach, says he's in a good place at Louisville, too.

There's no place like a second home.

Smith was a star running back for the Cardinals (2003-06) under Bobby Petrino, who has returned for his second stint in Louisville.

Smith also coached with Petrino at Western Kentucky last season after he spent his first year in the business as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Arkansas following a four-year career in the NFL.

Louisville should also help bring stability to the ACC, replacing charter member Maryland. The Cardinals certainly have made a concerted effort to improve their football program.

Charlie Strong, now at Texas, helped rebuild the brand, winning 23 games as well as the Sugar and Russell Athletic bowls the last two seasons.

Petrino has triumphantly returned for his second tenure – he went 41-9 from 2003-06 – with lofty expectations surrounding the program.

Smith understands that, even with a new staff that includes former FSU great Terrell Buckley (cornerbacks) and linebacker Derek Nicholson (defensive graduate assistant), not to mention Miami receiver Lamar Thomas (receivers), fans want wins now.

Not next year.

"We believe we have the right personnel on our team, we trust we have the right coaches in place, and we have the right administration and support staff at the university," Smith said.

"We believe we can win it all this year."

That might be a tad ambitious, specifically since Louisville must replace record-setting quarterback and first-round draft selection Teddy Bridgewater.

Still, Cardinals everywhere are excited, and they are taking out their wallets to prove it.

Louisville sold out its luxury suites for football games for the first time in school history, due in large part to a home schedule that includes Florida State, Miami and rival Kentucky.

The team also drew 27,500 fans to its spring game last April, joining Florida State and Clemson as the only ACC schools to surpass the 20,000-mark for their spring scrimmages.

Even more impressively on the cha-ching scale, Louisville reported $96.2 million in athletic revenue for 2013-14, more than any ACC public school and 18th nationally, according to a USA Today database.

Bragging rights are priceless, too.

Playing the defending national champion Seminoles is an opportunity Smith relishes.

Even though Smith, a 2003 Rickards graduate, wasn't actively recruited by FSU, he is well aware of the Seminoles' success.

FSU should enter the season ranked No. 1, and its Thursday date at Louisville to end October expects to be a humdinger. The teams last met 12 years ago. The cherry on the top is the Cardinals are also in the ACC Atlantic Division with FSU and Orange Bowl winner Clemson.

"Growing up around Seminole football, and to have the opportunity to compete against them on a year-to-year basis – and recruiting the same guys from this area – it is going to be fun," said Smith, who rushed for more than 1,800 yards, averaging nearly six yards per carry, during his Louisville career.

Winning is fun, too.

Last season at Western Kentucky, Smith tutored Antonio Andrews, the nation's top all-purpose player. Running back represents the deepest pool of talent at Louisville.

Dominique Brown led the Cardinals with 825 yards last season, and Auburn transfer Michael Dyer and freshman L.J. Scott are expected to play key roles. Smith said the group enjoyed a solid spring.

With the start of football around the corner, Smith, wife Ashley and their infant son made a quick trip to Tallahassee to visit family and friends. A good time was had by all.

Smith and Louisville are expecting the good times to continue in the ACC.